Cleveland Central Catholic senior Nyreek Boyd believes adding more jobs opportunities for Cleveland teens will reduce escalating teen violence, especially in the inner city.
Boyd said he's been a part of the Youth Opportunities Unlimited summer jobs program for the past three years, and he's calling on Cleveland city council and Mayor Frank Jackson to put more city tax dollars into the program.
Boyd believes more jobs for teens this summer will stop spikes in teen violence, which produced three teen shootings in Cleveland over the past two days.
The shootings injured four teens and claimed the life of 17-year-old Devin Price over the weekend.
"City council you should give more money to Youth Opportunities Unlimited because it opens doors," said Boyd.
"They don't have to scam their way to get money, or do something violent in order to get money, and they're doing something positive in order to receive money. I feel that is helping to reduce violence on teen on teen."
Eric Matheny, Youth Opportunities Unlimited Vice President of Programs, told News 5 more funding for the program is needed.
Matheny said his agency turned away more than 6,400 Cuyahoga County teens seeking jobs last year alone.
"For every four or five that sign up for a summer job, we have funding available to serve one," said Matheny.
"Putting someone on a path of economic self-sufficiency is putting them on a path to hope. It's hopefully giving them a new group to be a part of."
Mayor Jackson and Cleveland City Council have already announced plans to increase funding for Police, EMS, Fire, Public Works and Building and Housing.
Matheny hopes city leaders will add teen jobs to the list.
Cleveland budget hearings continue the rest of the week.
